Felipe Massa will have to wait until next season to make his Formula One comeback.

Despite requiring life-saving surgery after fracturing his skull in a horrific accident at the Hungarian Grand Prix at the end of July, Massa had privately hoped to return for his home race in Brazil on October 18.

The Ferrari star continues to make a successful recovery, and at Miami's Memorial Hospital yesterday successfully passed a range of tests under the supervision of renowned motorsport neurosurgeon Professor Steve Olvey.

However, the 28-year-old is to have a small plate inserted into his skull at the point of impact where he was hit by a spring weighing a kilogram which had worked loose from Rubens Barrichello's Brawn GP.

Although Massa remains positive, Ferrari have ruled out a return this year, leaving the Brazilian to focus his efforts on ensuring he is fully fit for the 2010 season.

Speaking on Ferrari's official website, http://www.ferrari.com, Massa said: "I'm very happy about the results.

"After the small surgery in the next days I can finally start to go to the gym to get back into shape and drive some tests in karts.

"On the track with a Formula 1 single-seater? Let's take it step by step. At the moment I'm concentrating on taking up physical activities, which is a great step forward."

The team added: "Naturally the results were received with great joy and satisfaction at Maranello with the prospect to be able to count on Felipe 100 per cent for the start of the next racing season."

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